NSD: it happened :O

[GwenOnBass]

"Very mid-forward growl."

That's what Jason (no affiliation) writes when I tell him what I have in mind. And I ask him to talk me out of new strings.

A hypothetical new set, I write, would replace a nearly four-year-old set of EB Group IV flats on my early 1979 StingRay. They are there for the Bernard Edwards vibe, I explain, and because of their low pulling tension. The truss rod is about as tight as I want to turn it. OTOH the neck is absolutely stable, and the relief is exactly where I like it (~.010 inch at the 7th fret).

"I kind of miss the distinctive StingRay howl," I write, also noting how very musical the EB Group flats are to my ear. And mention the bass' minimum winding length, because it has a through-body-only bridge.

"These are what I would go with," he replies.

And now I am playing in a fresh set of .040 - .096 Smith Compressors

"These strings are very lively," is my first impression.

 

[michael_t]

"Very mid-forward growl."

That's what Jason (no affiliation) writes when I tell him what I have in mind. And I ask him to talk me out of new strings.

A hypothetical new set, I write, would replace a nearly four-year-old set of EB Group IV flats on my early 1979 StingRay. They are there for the Bernard Edwards vibe, I explain, and because of their low pulling tension. The truss rod is about as tight as I want to turn it. OTOH the neck is absolutely stable, and the relief is exactly where I like it (~.010 inch at the 7th fret).

"I kind of miss the distinctive StingRay howl," I write, also noting how very musical the EB Group flats are to my ear. And mention the bass' minimum winding length, because it has a through-body-only bridge.

"These are what I would go with," he replies.

And now I am playing in a fresh set of .040 - .096 Smith Compressors

"These strings are very lively," is my first impression.

View attachment 7272853

Ken Smith Compressors "extra light" = 40-58-76-96, 38" winding length, purple silk at both ends.
GHS Pressurewound "light" = 40-54-76-96, 37.25" winding length, black silk only at the tuner end.

Alloy 52 (nickel-iron) is what makes them "lively".

I currently have the GHS PW 40-96 set on my Precision and one of my J's. I will soon be putting the KS Compressor 40-58-80-102 on my Ibanez SR650E next, which is now wearing the GHS PW 44-106 tuned to DGCF.

 

[michael_t]

"Very mid-forward growl."

That's what Jason (no affiliation) writes when I tell him what I have in mind...

"I kind of miss the distinctive StingRay howl," I write, also noting how very musical the EB Group flats are to my ear. And mention the bass' minimum winding length, because it has a through-body-only bridge.

"These are what I would go with," he replies.

And now I am playing in a fresh set of .040 - .096 Smith Compressors...

I'm kind of glad Jason recommended the KS Compressors over the EB Cobalt Flats, which are also known for the "mid-forward growl".

By the way, here's how the tensions compare...

EB Group IV Flats = 153.2 lbs.
KS Compressors 40-58-76-96 = 152.6 lbs.
GHS Pressurewounds 40-54-76-96 = 147.2 lbs.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I'm kind of glad Jason recommended the KS Compressors over the EB Cobalt Flats, which are also known for the "mid-forward growl".

Why?

 

[michael_t]

Why?

Just my personal bias. I prefer Alloy 52 over Cobalt. That's all.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Just my personal bias. I prefer Alloy 52 over Cobalt. That's all.

I didn't know you had experience with the Slinky Flatwounds.
But anyway. I guess I for one don't care (too much) whether or not other people share my biases.

 

[Sbassman Scratch]

I didn't know you had experience with the Slinky Flatwounds.
But anyway. I guess I for one don't care (too much) whether or not other people share my biases.

Neither do I. But I'm glad some people share theirs.

 

[GwenOnBass]

I'm kind of glad Jason recommended the KS Compressors over the EB Cobalt Flats, which are also known for the "mid-forward growl".

By the way, here's how the tensions compare...

EB Group IV Flats = 153.2 lbs.
KS Compressors 40-58-76-96 = 152.6 lbs.
GHS Pressurewounds 40-54-76-96 = 147.2 lbs.

I don't know if I ever saw tension numbers for EB Cobalt Flats.

A set's total pulling tension is an important consideration for my StingRay. The bass is one of the "fast neck" 'Rays of the period, and a lot of them didn't make it. Mine was close, and my luthier put me right.

Checked moments ago, and the neck is still exactly where it should be.

Either way I might had gone, I would still have purple silks

 

[michael_t]

I don't know if I ever saw tension numbers for EB Cobalt Flats.

EB Cobalt Flats 40-95 = 148.30 lbs.

 

[GwenOnBass]

EB Cobalt Flats 40-95 = 148.30 lbs.

Did not know this

EB Cobalt Flats sell for nearly double what the Smiths sell for. In any event, I went with Jason's recommendation without hesitation. Part of the reason why is I played GHS Pressurewounds a friend's Nordy Cat bass, and was favorably impressed. Not impressed enough for me to replace the Balanced Nickels on my Nordy Cat

My ears are pleased with the Compressors on the 'Ray.

 

[michael_t]

EB Cobalt Flats sell for nearly double what the Smiths sell for...

When I ordered a few sets of KS Compressors from Jason a while ago, I was surprised they were even priced less than the GHS Pressurewounds.

 

[Salem6127]

KS strings are slept on for sure. These things have insane lifespan, right up there with the notorious DR.

 

[micguy]

Compressors (or the Ken Smith branded version of them) are "very lively" if you're used to flats, and "kinda dead sounding" if you're used to bright rounds. They are the definition of "middle of the road" strings. I like them right oft of the pack (If i had free strings, and a tech to change strings every night, they might be on my short list, but....once the zing is gone, they are not bright enough for me. If they are your thing, great!

 

[Medicine Man]

Compressors (or the Ken Smith branded version of them) are "very lively" if you're used to flats, and "kinda dead sounding" if you're used to bright rounds. They are the definition of "middle of the road" strings. I like them right oft of the pack (If i had free strings, and a tech to change strings every night, they might be on my short list, but....once the zing is gone, they are not bright enough for me. If they are your thing, great!

I'm just the opposite, I find the non broken in tone tinny, but love them once the zing mellows out. I'm very heavy handed and have to take steps to blunt my attack.

 

[micguy]

I'm just the opposite, I find the non broken in tone tinny, but love them once the zing mellows out. I'm very heavy handed and have to take steps to blunt my attack.

This is precisely as it should be - you have found “your” strings.

 

[iiipopes]

EB stainless flats are probably the most under-rated flats out there.

 

[GwenOnBass]

EB stainless flats are probably the most under-rated flats out there.

 

[michael_t]

"Very mid-forward growl."

That's what Jason (no affiliation) writes when I tell him what I have in mind. And I ask him to talk me out of new strings.

A hypothetical new set, I write, would replace a nearly four-year-old set of EB Group IV flats on my early 1979 StingRay. They are there for the Bernard Edwards vibe, I explain, and because of their low pulling tension. The truss rod is about as tight as I want to turn it. OTOH the neck is absolutely stable, and the relief is exactly where I like it (~.010 inch at the 7th fret).

"I kind of miss the distinctive StingRay howl," I write, also noting how very musical the EB Group flats are to my ear. And mention the bass' minimum winding length, because it has a through-body-only bridge.

"These are what I would go with," he replies.

And now I am playing in a fresh set of .040 - .096 Smith Compressors

"These strings are very lively," is my first impression.

View attachment 7272853

You went from EB Group IV flats to KS Compressors for "more mid-forward growl" on your Stingray.

I've just gone from GHS Pressurewounds back to EB Group IV flats for "less mid-forward grind" on my P bass.

 

[GwenOnBass]

... [a] more mid-forward growl" on your Stingray.

is exactly the prescription for what I need now from this instrument.

Cobalt flats are an ever-popular choice for 'Rays, to hear tell. Same with Lo Riders, I believe. Have tried neither.

What I know is I took the 'Ray to classes today and am pretty pleased all 'round. Today's DI to Zoom is courtesy of the Elf, which makes everything fun funner.

 

[michael_t]

And now I am playing in a fresh set of .040 - .096 Smith Compressors

I will soon be putting the KS Compressor 40-58-80-102 on my Ibanez SR650E next, which is now wearing the GHS PW 44-106 tuned to DGCF.

Well... I've decided to take a little detour by installing GHS Super Steels 40-58-80-102 on my Ibanez instead of the Compressors. I've always had a love-hate relationship with stainless steel rounds in general, ie "love the tone, hate the feel", so I'll have to see how long they will stay on. Meanwhile, I do have four sets of KS Compressors in my personal stash as a backup.